With the U.S.-led offensive against ISIS in Syria and Iraq moving forward with increased violence this month, Canada's possible future role in the fight against the terrorist organization remains unsettled.
As the decade-long war in Afghanistan showed all too clearly, any Canadian contribution to international peacemaking is sure to come with a cost, both in terms of financial resources and possibly also in terms of human casualties.
Specifically, a decision to move forward with Canadian military action against ISIS is bound to have an impact on the people of this province, including residents in West Central Alberta.
As such, people in this region have a vested interest in ensuring that any decision by MPs to join the military campaign against ISIS is made only following thorough and searching consideration.
Wild Rose Conservative MP Blake Richards says the Harper government is “committed to its allies and the fight against ISIS”.
“There is no ambiguity as to where Canada stands,” said Richards. “We stand with our allies against ISIS' vicious and coordinated slaughter.
“At times, some governments have failed to act on our principles. They couched our words and intentions in the name of political expediency. However, in difficult circumstances Canadians have always chosen to reject equivocation, giving voice to the enduring values that give our nation purpose.
“As Prime Minister Stephen Harper has reminded us: ‘The measure of good government -- the true test of leadership -- lies not in achieving success in times of stability and peace, but in doing so during times of risk and danger'.”
As an organization that has shown itself be to wholly lacking in any respect for the rule of law, ISIS certainly poses a real and present threat to the stability of the Middle East and possibly beyond.
As such the Canadian government is right to be considering what action this country might take to meet the challenge faced by what MP Richards rightly calls an “Islamic terrorist organization”.
At the same time, Canadians will expect the Harper government to ensure that any possible Canadian military action has the support of Parliament – and that must mean open and free debate by MPs in open session of the House of Commons before any move forward.
Syria and Iraq are half a world away from West Central Alberta. Yet as the war in Afghanistan showed all too well, the costs of Canada's foreign military actions and commitments can be far-reaching, with impacts to families right here in rural Alberta.
MP Richards says, “Canada stands for freedom and security.”
That is true, but it must also stand for the rule of law and the free and open parliamentary process.
